Paul Word Search

ANTIOCH – Ancient city in Syria where followers of Jesus were first called Christians, and the base from which Paul launched his missionary journeys into the wider world.

APOSTLE – A person directly commissioned by Jesus Christ to spread the Gospel. Paul claimed this title despite not walking with Jesus, based on his Damascus road encounter.

AQUILA – A Jewish tentmaker and close companion of Paul, who together with his wife Priscilla hosted the apostle in Corinth and later mentored the eloquent preacher Apollos.

ARABIA – A region where Paul retreated shortly after his dramatic conversion, spending time in solitude and reflection before beginning his active ministry, as mentioned in Galatians.

BARNABAS – A trusted companion and fellow missionary who partnered with Paul on his first journey. Their later disagreement over John Mark led to a painful but productive separation.

CAESAREA – A Roman coastal city in Judea where Paul was imprisoned for two years before appealing to Caesar, eventually leading to his journey by sea toward Rome.

CHOSEN – Paul described himself as a chosen instrument of God, selected before birth to carry the name of Christ to Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel.

CHURCH – The community of believers that Paul tirelessly planted, nurtured, and defended throughout his journeys. His letters were written to guide and correct specific local church congregations.

CILICIA – The Roman province in modern-day Turkey where Paul was born. Its capital, Tarsus, gave Paul Roman citizenship and exposure to Greek philosophy and culture from an early age.

CORINTH – A wealthy, cosmopolitan Greek city where Paul spent eighteen months establishing a church. He later wrote two significant letters addressing divisions, immorality, and theological confusion within the congregation.

DAMASCUS – The Syrian city where Paul was traveling to persecute Christians when a blinding light and the voice of Jesus transformed him from a persecutor into a devoted follower.

EPHESUS – A major city in Asia Minor where Paul ministered for nearly three years, resulting in widespread impact. A riot broke out among silversmiths who feared losing their idol trade.

EPISTLE – A formal letter written with theological depth and pastoral care. Paul authored at least thirteen epistles in the New Testament, addressing doctrine, ethics, church order, and personal encouragement.

FAITH – A central theme in Paul’s theology, emphasizing that salvation comes through trusting in Jesus Christ alone, not through observance of the Jewish law or human effort or merit.

GALATIA – A region in central Asia Minor where Paul planted churches during his first missionary journey. He later wrote a passionate letter defending salvation by faith against legalistic false teachers.

GENTILES – Non-Jewish peoples whom Paul was specifically called to evangelize. His ministry broke traditional boundaries, arguing that Gentiles could receive full salvation without first converting to Judaism through circumcision.

GOSPEL – The good news of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. Paul considered it his sacred duty to proclaim this message even under threat of death.

GRACE – Unmerited favor from God toward sinful humanity. Paul championed grace as the foundation of salvation, insisting that no human achievement or religious effort could earn a right standing before God.

LYSTRA – A city in Galatia where Paul healed a lame man, causing locals to mistake him for the god Hermes. He was later stoned there and left for dead by opponents.

MISSIONS – The organized effort to spread the Christian faith across regions and cultures. Paul’s three major missionary journeys established communities of believers from Jerusalem throughout the Mediterranean world toward Rome.

PHILIPPI – A Roman colony in Macedonia and the first European city where Paul planted a church. The congregation there was among his most beloved, inspiring his joyful letter to the Philippians.

PREACHER – A proclaimer of divine truth in public settings. Paul preached boldly in synagogues, marketplaces, courts, and homes, adapting his message skillfully to diverse Jewish, Greek, and Roman audiences.

SAUL – Paul’s Hebrew name, used before his conversion. As Saul, he was a zealous Pharisee who actively persecuted the early church, consenting to the stoning of Stephen the first martyr.

TARSUS – Paul’s birthplace, a prosperous city in Cilicia known for its university and intellectual culture. Growing up there gave Paul fluency in Greek language, Roman law, and broader Hellenistic thought.